San Bernardino County, CA: Honoring the victims and survivors of the San Bernardino, California Terrorist Attack a year ago.

San Bernardino County, CA: Honoring the victims and survivors of the San Bernardino, California Terrorist Attack a year ago.

A year ago, terror hit the community of San Bernardino, California as 14 innocent lives were taken away by evil in a terrorist attack inside the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California at 10:58am PT on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015.

** Pictures from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

People came together on Friday, December 2nd, 2016 to honor the victims and survivors of the San Bernardino, California Terrorist Attack at several ceremonies and events across San Bernardino County, California.

** Here are a few of the ceremonies and events held honoring the victims and survivors of the San Bernardino, California Terrorist Attack: **

At 7:30am PT, the San Bernardino Police Department hosted a memorial bicycle ride, Inland Regional Center Bike Ride, to honor the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack.

The memorial bicycle ride was 14 miles which is equal to 22 kilometers; one mile for each victim who died and one kilometer for each victim wounded.

** Video from LifeStream: **

At 8:00am PT, LifeStream, whose headquarters is less than a mile from where the mass shooting took place, held a Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, December 2nd, 2016 at LifeStream blood bank in San Bernardino, California where people came out and donated blood in to help people in need in the community.

At 10:58am PT, employees from the County of San Bernardino held a moment of silence to remember when the initial 911 call was placed.

San Bernardino School District Police Department Sergeant Roberto Arellano was among the first responders who arrived at the chaotic scene a year ago and spoke at the ceremony.

“Co-workers, as they’re running out in that area, seeing their co-workers, their friends, their family in that hurt. There was a lot of emotion,” San Bernardino School District Police Department Sergeant Roberto Arellano recalled.

** Video from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

** Video from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

** Picture from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

At 3:30pm PT, People gather at a peace garden dedication at Cal State San Bernardino to honor the 5 alumni from Cal State University San Bernardino (Robert Adams, Juan Espinoza, Shannon Johnson, Yvette Velasco and Michael Wetzel) who were among the 14 people killed in the terrorist attack.

** Pictures from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: **

At 5:30pm PT, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians lighted up the Arrowhead with more than a dozen 120,000-lumen arc lights in memory and tribute to the 14 innocent lives lost in the terrorist attack.

Seen from around the community, the Arrowhead lighted up in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains just north of Wildwood Park, 40th Street and Waterman Avenue, in San Bernardino, California.

The Arrowhead will be lighted up from 5:30pm to 10:00pm PT starting on Friday, December 2nd, 2016 and lasting until Thursday, December 15th, 2016.

** Video from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

** Pictures from the San Bernardino County Fire Department: **

At 6:30pm PT, hundreds of people came to pay their respects the the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack at a ceremony tilted “Night of Remembrance” inside the Coussoulis Arena at Cal State San Bernardino in San Bernardino, California.

In attended were victims, family and friends of victims, and many people from the community who wanted to show their support.

** Picture from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

The ceremony began with a Cal State San Bernardino student preforming her rendition of “Imagine” by John Lennon.

Speakers at the ceremony expressed a profound sense of loss for the 14 innocent lives lost on that tragic day and thanked the community that united together after the terrorist attack to help.

First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino Pastor Sandy Tice opened the ceremony with an invocation.

“In this moment we say thank you for those who came running to help – those who remembered us, who reached out in love, who prayed. Thank you,” said First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino Pastor Sandy Tice.

** Picture from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

Julie Swann-Paez, a survivor of the terrorist attack, spoke at the ceremony and paid tribute to each of the victims, her co-workers at San Bernardino County’s Department of Public Health.

Julie Swann-Paez began speaking as tears roll down her face.

“Good evening. I’m, I’m humbled… sorry. I’m humbled to be able to speak today – I’ll try my best to get through that without too much tears. When I was asked to speak tonight. My first response was no – I didn’t think I could do it. But then I thought this might be my chance to tell all of you about these incredible people. My friends who had their lives taken from them,” said Julie Swann-Paez.

Julie Swann-Paez told stories of all 14 victims who perished and spoke about her memories of Shannon Johnson who was shot as he protected another coworker.

“His life ended as a hero though. He [was] protecting my friend Denise and told her ‘I got you.’” said Julie Swann-Paez.

“Kindness, compassion, love and gratitude. To me those are the basic threads of humanity. All of my friends – embodied these traits,” said Julie Swann-Paez.

** Picture from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan then spoke and urged the many people gathered to not let the evil of that day define us.

“There’s two evil people that started the narrative of that day, a story about San Bernardino, a chapter in our lives. They do not get to finish that story. We do. This is our city. This is our story,” said San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan.

Speaking to victims and their families, United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker said, “Your strength, your courage and your heart has been inspiring.”

** Picture from NBC affiliate KNBC Channel 4: **

The ceremony closed with a stirring tribute of candlelight and music, including the song, “God Bless America”.

From Zachary A. Lopez of ZachNews:

** May we never forget the great people who as as a community lost that day; may will always be there for the families and friends of the victims and survivors; may we never stop thanking the many people who came to help people; may we never stop thanking the many first responders and law enforcement personal who rushed to save lives and go after the attackers; and may we never allow evil divide or destroy us. May we always be untied and strong together against all evil. May you always stay strong and united San Bernardino County, California. **